The transmission crossmember, which hangs down an ungodly amount on the new Colorados, was removed and replaced with a custom tubular version that would clear when the truck was aired out. To raise the gas tank up an additional 3 inches, a custom crossmember was fabricated and bolted into place. As with most 'bagged trucks, the stock exhaust did nothing but get in the way, so a MagnaFlow Hot Rod Kit was routed beneath the truck to solve all the clearance issues as well as give the truck a nice growl. To finish it off, 20- and 22-inch Billet Specialties SLX08 wheels were stuffed under the wheelwells and wrapped in Pirelli rubber
Once the truck was set up with the new Air Ride suspension, it was taken back to Clean Cut Creations and prepared for paint. John started by shaving the tailgate handle and getting rid of the plastic-cladding look by smoothing the stock mirrors and door handles. To set the bed down over the new suspension, the bed floor was cut out, raised 8-1/2 inches, and then welded back into place. The 10-inch rims posed a slight problem with the rear quarters, so they were bulged a few inches for clearance. The rear factory bumper was thrown aside, and a roll pan that was originally manufactured for an S-10 was stretched to fit the back of the truck. Up front, the factory grille was reinstalled, complete with the new Kaik billet grille.
John then went to work masking off the multitude of flames that engulfs the Colorado from head to tail. Using Sikkens Victory Red, as well as a custom mix of orange and yellow to fade the tips of each lick, the flames were sprayed over a solid-black base and then highlighted with lime-green pinstriping. After several coats of clear, the truck now had the proper stance as well as a sweet set of flames. The only thing left to tackle was the interior.
The two front buckets and the rear fold-down seats were removed from the truck and relieved of their factory covers. A call was placed to Katzkin Leather Interiors in Montebello, California, and a new set of seat covers was sent out in the mail. A few days later, a brand-new set of red-leather covers with black-ostrich inserts was ready to install over the factory cushions.
John and Joann debuted the slammed Colorado in Greenville at this year's Showfest parked in the Air Ride Technologies booth. As a testament to their work, there was constantly a crowd around the truck, checking out every angle of it. A special thanks goes out to Air Ride, Kaik Products, Katzkin, MagnaFlow, John Copeland of Sikkens, John Meyer Sr., Matt Beamon, and Richard Kuehl for helping Clean Cut Creations pump out the first 'bagged Colorado to roll through the show circuit.